It is not everybody’s cup of tea to swim across the cold Atlantic ocean through dark kelp beds, past seals, whales and sharks, let alone 100 times.
Yet, this is exactly what Howard Warrington accomplished for charity upon his 100th swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand beach on 21 May after seven years.
Warrington has become the fourth person in the world to swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand beach one hundred times in aid of charity, where he raised over R120 000 for the wildlife facility of the Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“I see the extent and effect of the pollution on our beaches and in the ocean, I have made it my mission to act for animals whose habitats and lives are threatened by human action and inaction, by joining forces with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA wildlife unit,” Warrington explains.
Warrington recalls completing his first swim in 2015 as a “bucket list challenge,” and a challenge indeed, as he did not possess enough knowledge about open water swimming, but who eventually, throughout the years, became more familiar with the sport and his newfound passion.
“As it all progressed, I came to realise this journey chose me more than I chose the journey. With the swims accumulating I also realised that, as in life, there is no space for complacency. Each swim presented a different sea in terms of temperature, wind, currents, and other factors. Nothing could be taken for granted. Only commitment and focus got me to the shore each time,” Warrington says.
A memorable moment while swimming, Warrington recalled, was encountering a whale, who surfaced in front of the swimmer. Remaining calm to prevent fright, man and whale met eye to eye in the dark waters, an experience that Warrington deems “spiritual”.
En route to Bloubergstrand beach, a startling yet humorous experience occurred when Warrington swam into a sunfish while he was distracted by a pod of dolphins. “We both darted in opposite directions, and I think I dirtied my Speedo that day,” Warrington laughingly recalls.
What next awaits open water swimmer Howard Warrington? The answer is definitely much more swimming, as he will brave the Strait of Gibraltar in July, and the False Bay crossing in November.
